Double terminal connector



Feb. 21, 1%@. M. w. MORWS DOUBLE TERMINAL CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 28, 1935 Jmzemion .Mczm'm Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOUBLE TERMINAL CONNECTOR Application October 28, 1935, Serial No. 46,968

This invention relates to connecting means, and has to do with a double terminal connector for electrically connecting the terminals 01 two conductors. I

It is frequently necessary as, for example, in automobile terminal blocks, to provide means for connecting together in pairs a plurality of conductors. My invention is directed to connector means particularly suitable for this purpose. It w is an object oi my invention to provide a terminal connector which is oil simple construction and relatively inexpensive, and which provides means for eflecting connection to a conductor with ex pedition and facility. A further object is to provide a connector or this character particularly suitable for cats. electrical connection between 9. pair of conductors. It is also an object of my invention to assure adequate electrical contact between the connector and a terminal memgg ber inserted therein, while eliminating possibility of loosening of the connection by vibration or changes of temperature. A further and important object oi. my invention is to provide a terminal receiving member having an opening ior reception of a terminal member, and holding means associated with the opening in such manner as to be eflective for holding the terminal member within the receiving member, while permitting insertion or removal or the terminal member by simple endwise movement thereof, the

holding member being displaced to permit of inthe mounting plate being shown fragmentarily,

and the connector being partly broken away;

45 Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2, certain parts being shown in elevation, this view also showing a conductor with a terminal member applied thereto and in operative relation to the connector, the terminal in section; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially online i-dofr'igurem The connector comprises a housing formed by two metal plates l and 2 which, for purposes of ,member being shown as partly broken away and description, may be designated the front plate and the back plate, respectively. Plate 4 is provided with two outwardly projecting cylindrical collars 3 of appreciable length, these collars defining two openings through plate I, one adjacent 5 the upper end of this plate and the other adjacent the lower end thereof. Plate l is of elongated rectangular shape, as shown, and is provided at its lower end with an integral base element 4 extending rearwardly of plate 8 at right 10 angles thereto, the rearward end of this base element being provided with an integral downwardly directed tongue 5. Preferably, base element A is integral with plate I, and collars 3 are formed integrally with this plate by suitably drawing, extruding or spinning the metal about the margin of a smaller aperture which is first punched in the plate. These elements may be formed separately and suitably secured to plate i if desired.

Plate 2 conforms in size and shape to plate .I and is provided with side flanges 6 and a top flange 7, these flanges contacting the rearward face of' plate l and spacing plate 2. therefrom. The plates i and 2 are thus spaced apart and define the housing referred to. Plate 2 is further g5 provided, at its upper end, with a tab 8 integral with flange i and extending from the forward edge of this flange at right angles to plate 2. Tab 8 comprises a head 9 and a restricted neck l0 which fits snugly into a corresponding slot ll formed in the upper end of plate i centrally thereof. This provides means effective tohold the plates against movement away from each other at their upper ends, while permitting relative endwise movement of these plates in the as- 5 sembling thereof to provide a space therebetween for a purpose which will be apparent hereinafter. Plate 2 is provided with two circular openings l2 aligned with collars 3 and of the same diameter as the interior diameter of the respective collars. 40 At its lower end plate 2 is provided with an integral base element I3 disposed at right angles thereto and seating upon the upper face of base element 4 of plate I.

The housing thus formed is secured to a mounting plate i l, which may be the mounting plate "of an automobile terminal block, conveniently by means of a hollow rivet I5 passing through plate i4 and base elements 4 and i 3 of plates I and 2, respectively. In this manner, the hous- 5 ing is secured to the mounting plate, the securing means also being eflective to prevent relative lengthwise movement between plates i and 2, thus maintaining these plates in proper assembled relation. Mountingplate I4 is provided with a slot l6 which receives tongue 5, the slot corresponding in width to this tongue. This provides means effective to prevent turning of the housing about rivet 15, thus assuring that the housing is maintained in proper relation to the mounting plate. Other suitable means, such as two rivets 15, may be provided for securing the housing to the mounting plate though, ordinarily, I prefer to employ the means shown for this purpose, since this means is both simple and relatively inexpensive while being highly efficient.

The terminal holding means is disposed within the housing defined by plates l and 2. Preferably, this holding means comprises a spring member I! formed from stiff spring wire of circular cross-section and suitable gage and is positioned in the space between the front and back members I and 2. Member I1 is shaped to provide, at each end thereof, an eye l8, each of the eyes extending about the major portion of the adjacent pair of aligned openings through the housing. It will be noted that the eyes are oppositely related, terminal portion |8a of the upper eye [8 extending across the upper pair. of openings adjacent the lower side thereof and substantially chordally of these openings, terminal portion or element l8a of the lower eye 18 being disposed so as to extend across the lower pair of openings adjacent the upper side and substantially chordally thereof. Elements |8a of the eyes l8, which elements may be defined as holding elements for retaining the conductor terminal members in the connector, are thus disposed adjacent one side of the respective pairs of openings and remote from the other side thereof, while being displaceable toward the adjacent side of the openings and yieldingly urged toward the other side thereof. These, holding elements are preferably of circular cross-section, as above noted, to facilitate insertion of the terminal members into the connector while permitting withdrawal therefrom of the terminal members when desired, in a manner to be hereinafter described. It will be understood, however, that my invention, in its broader aspects, contemplates having these holding elements of circular or any other suitable cross-section.

Spring member I! is substantially equal in length to the interior height of the housing so that the ends of this member preferably contact the end walls of the housing, as shown in Figure 2. The maximum width of member H, determined by the width of the eye members i3, may be slightly less than the interior width of the housing in order to obtain'the full benefit of the spring of the eye members. This difference in width, however, is so slight as to prevent any objectionable displacement of member l1 transversely of the housing. In this manner, the spring holding member E1 may be, and preferably is, unsecured to'the housing, but is effectivelyheld thereby against displacement. The interior depth of the housing, between plates I and 2 thereof, corresponds approximately to the thickness or diameter of holding member 11, itbeing understood, however, that this member does not fit the housing. at the front and back forwardly or 'backwardly of the housing. In assembling the connector, member I! may be placed between the flanges of plate 2, after which plate I may be assembled in operative relation to plate 2, the connector being then secured to mounting plate is in the manner previously described. Member I! is preferably formed in the manner shown and above described, though, in the broader aspects of my invention, any suitable holding means for retaining the terminal mem bers in the connector maybe provided.

In Figure 3 I have shown a tip or terminal member t particularly suitable for use with the connector of my invention. This terminal member comprises a body portion l9, conveniently of cylindrical shape and corresponding in diameter to openings l2 and the interiors of collars 3 of the housing. The terminal member may be formed of any metal suitable for the purpose and body l9 thereof is provided, at its outer end, with an outwardly tapering nose element 20 which constitutes, with body [9, a structure of bullet form. The diameter of nose element 20, at the outer end thereof, is less than the distance between holding element 18a and the opposite side of the pair of openings through the housing adjacent the holding element. This permits of insertion of the terminal member through the aligned openings of the housing, no other action being necessary for securing the terminal member in the housing, as will be later described.

Body IQ of the terminal member is provided with a circumferential groove 2| of rounded cross-section adapted for reception of the holding element l8a. At its inner end body [9 is pro vided with a base element 22 of increased diame ter providing a shoulder 23 at the inner end of body !9 and extending outwardly therefrom radially thereof. This terminal member is secured upon a conductor 24 of known type which includes a multiple strand wire or core 25 provided with a suitable covering 26 of insulation. The insulation 26 is removed from the end portion of core 25 for a suitable length thereof and the terminal member is then placed upon this end of the conductor with wire 25 extending through the outer end portion of nose element 20, the latter being provided, at its outer end, with a bore of approximately the same diameter as that of the wire. Nose element 20 is then secured upon wire 25 by crimping, so as to displace inwardly thereof projections or elements 2! which are forced into the wire 25 and effectively secure the terminal member thereto. With the terminal member secured upon wire 25 in the manner shown in Figure 3 and above described, base element 22 of the terminal member constitutes a protecting sleeve extending about the adjacent end portion of the insulating covering 26 for the conductor.

In order to connect the conductor 24 to the connector, the terminal member is inserted through collar 3 of plate I and the aligned opening 12 of plate 2. During the first portion ofthe insertion of the terminal member, holding element 18a is displaced toward the adjacent side of the openings in the housing and, when groove 2| reaches the plane of holding element la, the latter snaps into this groove, thus securing the terminal member within the connector. During the major portion of the insertion of the terminal member, collar 3 serves as a guide and thus facilitates insertion of the terminal member.

When the terminal member has been fully inarrears serted, body portion 5Q thereof is held in tight contact with plate 2 and collar 3 at the portions thereof opposite to the holding member, due to the spring action of the latter previously referred to and the fact that the diameter of body IQ of the terminal member, at the bottom of groove M, is slightly greater than the distance between holding element ma and the opposite side of the openings in the housing associated therewith. Since the holding element lfia is of circular cross-section, and the groove 2! in body is of the terminal member is of rounded crosssection, the terminal member may be withdrawn from the connector by exerting pull on conductor 2d, the pull required for this purpose being appreciable but not excessive. The terminal memher is thus efi'ectively held in the connector and may be inserted into and withdrawn therefrom by simple endwise movement, no other action being required. Since the body portion is of the terminal member fits within collar 3, adequate area of contact of the terminal member with the connector is provided.

The connector shown is intended for connecting two conductors, it being understood that a terminal member, secured upon a conductor in the manner disclosed, is inserted through each pair of aligned openings of the connector. Preferably, the terminal members are inserted through the connector from the front thereof, as shown in Figure 3. It will be understood, however, that, if required, either one of the terminal members may be inserted through the connector from the back thereof. In either case, body IQ of the terminal member extends into collar 3 for substantially the full length thereof, the elements of the terminal member being suitably proportioned for this purpose, thus assuring adequate contact surfaces between the terminal member and the connector. It will also be noted that the collar 3 is effective in preventing objectionable looseness or play, radially, of the terminal member in the connector, and the holding element I81: and groove ,2! cooperate to prevent endwise movement of the terminal member.

The collars 3-3 are not strictly necessary but are desirable. They serve as guides for the introduction or removal of the tips t. They also tend to hold the tips in axial alinement with the hole even though there is considerable play or freedom to permit easy insertion or removal of the tips it.

These collars also serve in connection with tips 1!, which are standard for certain purposes, to space theshoulder 23 properly so that groove 2i will register with the spring contactor I811.

If a tip t with a shorter shank be employed so that the shoulder 23 comes against the flat surface of the plate the collars 3-4 may be omitted.

It will be observed that the insertion of the tips in both holes tends to increase the tension of the spring against the tips rather than to weaken it although each spring is ample within itself for making proper contact.

The holes and tips are fairly loose and do not need to constitute a sliding fit. The spring contacts are stiif enough however to hold the tips t locked in place with sufilcient rigidity that vibration is not effective to change or impair the contact.

What I claim is:

1. In combination in means of the character described, a housing having two pairs of aligned openings for reception of terminal members, and a springwire formed into a flat shape and confled within said housing against displacement,

said spring wire 2- shaped at each end to provide an eye, said eyes extending about the major portions of the respective pairs of openings and having tel holding elements extending across said pairs of openings adjacent one side of eachpair.

2. In combination in means of the character described, a housing having two pairs ofaligned openings for reception of terminal members, and a spring wire within said housing free therefrom and formed into a flat shape and confirmed thereby against displacement, said spring wire being shaped ateach end to provide an eye, said eyes extending about the major portions of the respective pairs of openings and having terminal holding elements extending across said pairs of openings adjacent one side of each pair.

3. In combination in means of the character described, a housing comprising two plates spaced apart and provided at one end with cooperating means holding said plates against relative movement away from each other while permitting relative endwise movement of said plates for assembling them, said plates having aligned openings for reception of a cylindrical terminal member, said openings being of substantially the same diameter as said terminal member, holding means comprising a yielding holding element within said housing extending across said openings, a mounting plate, and means securing said housing to said mounting plate and effective to prevent relative endwise movement of said housing plates.

4:. In combination in means of the character described, a housing comprising two plates, one provided with side and end flanges spacing it from the other, said one plate being provided at its upper end with a tab extending substantially at right angles thereto and having a reduced neck, said other plate having a slot receiving said neck, each of said plates being provided at its lower end with a base element extending substantially at right angles thereto, the base element of said one plate seating upon the base element of said other plate, said plates having aligned openings for reception of a terminal member, holding means comprising a yielding holding element within said housing extending across said openings, a mounting plate, and means securing said base elements together and to said mounting.

plate.

5. A terminal connector comprising, in combination, a housing formed of conducting material and having two pairs of aligned openings for. receiving terminal members, guide means integrally formed with said housing and individual to each or said pairs of openings for guiding and bracing said terminal members into operative position, and a. spring wire formed into a fiat shape and disposed within said housing having an eye member at each end, a portion of each of which extends across each of said pairs of openings adjacent one side thereof tor urging said terminal members into contact engagement with said housing and said guide means.

6. A terminal connector for connecting a pair of cylindrical terminal members having circum ferential' grooves therein comprising; in combination, a housing formed of conducting material and having two pairs or circular op ni s of slightly greater diameter than said terminal members for receiving them, and a spring wire formed into a flat shape and disposed within said housing having an eye member at each end, aportion oteachotwhich extendsacrosseach of said pairs of openings adjacent one side thereof for engaging said grooves and urging said terminal members into contact engagement with said housing.

7. A terminal connector comprising, in combination, a pair of metal plates, means securing said plates in slightly spaced apart relation and parallel to each other, each of said plates having a pair of apertures in alignment with corresponding apertures in the other plate for receiving a pair of correspondingly shaped terminal members, and a spring wire formed into a fiat shape and having a thickness slightly less than the spacing between said plates and eye portions at the ends thereofpositioned between said plates with the eye portions in register with each pair of aligned apertures and having a portion extending across each of said apertures for yieldingly holding said terminal members in position.

8. A terminalconnector comprising, in combination, a metal housing having front and back walls spaced slightly apart and two pairs of aligned apertures therein for receiving a pair of correspondingly shaped terminal members, and a spring wire formed into a flat shape and having a thickness slightly less than the spacing between said plates and eye portions at the ends thereof positioned between said plates with the eye portions in register with each pair of aligned apertures and having a portion extending across each of said apertures for yieldingly holding said terminal members in position.

MARION W. MORRIS.

CERTIFICATE OF C QRRECTI ON 0 Patent No. 2,1l1,7,915.

February 21, 1 959.

MARION W. MORRIS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of: the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line "(L -75, claim 1, for "confied" read confined; and second column, line 11, claim 2,'for the word "confirmed" read confined; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of April, A. D. 1939.

. (Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

